Rare photos reveal the cinema of the "most mysterious country in the world"

Photographer Eric Lafforgue's photo series documenting filmmaking activities at North Korea's largest film studio - Korean Film Studio - is one of the rare documents that helps the outside world have a clearer view of the film industry in this Northeast Asian country.

It is known that the late North Korean President Kim Jong-il – the biological father of current leader Kim Jong-un – was a big movie lover. He is said to have owned thousands of movies in his personal library. There are even 7 cinemas built specifically for Pyongyang.

In North Korea, there is an average of one cinema for every 300 hosts, and they get to watch movies for free. What's more, all actors are carefully selected by the government.

During a visit to the Korean Film Studio a few years ago, photographer Eric Lafforgue also captured images of famous actors painted on murals and old-fashioned posters across the capital.

He described that North Korean films often revolve around a talented man leading the country through dark times to develop strongly.

Check out these images captured by photographer Eric Lafforgue during his visit to a North Korean film set:

The child actors obediently waited in the backroom to adjust their costumes before filming.

Two actresses wearing traditional Korean costumes have their hair done before filming.

Scene of a couple breaking up at the airport.

Five actors smile brightly at the camera while sitting and waiting for their turn.

Photo taken at a DVD store in a subway station. Nowadays, many North Koreans have DVD players, and they use them to watch foreign films.

A cinema in Pyongyang. Eric Lafforgue said that there is one cinema for every 300 North Koreans.

Makeup team creates looks for the actors.

Two logistics staff arrange costumes inside the studio's storage room.

Two friendly actors wave to foreign photographers while waiting for their scene.

Film crew members are studying the famous cartoon Mickey Mouse. “Most of them (North Koreans) don’t know that Mickey Mouse is an American symbol. They think Mickey was created by Chinese people,” the photographer said.

A scene with hundreds of actors.

“I’m always surprised to see people staring at movie posters because they hardly ever change. Maybe they look at them hoping for something new,” said Mr. Lafforgue.

A corner of Chinatown on the set of Korean Film Studio in Pyongyang.

The camera was mounted on a truck to capture the overhead shot.

English style houses inside the studio.